Self-adjusting pendulum-escapement.



W. B. MILLER.

SELF ADJUSTING PBNDULUM ESGAPEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED APR.27,1909.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

INVENTOR ATTOR NEYS Manz-.11. a, GRAHAM cow Fxufmuwncmmsns, wAsumGrou. uc.

'UNITED STATES ATENT OFFIQE.

WILLIAM B. MILLER, OF LOUISVILLE, OHIO.

SELF-ADJUSTING PENDULUIJI-ESCAPEMET.

To all whom "it may concern.'

Be it known that I, VILLIAM B. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Louisville, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Self Adjusting Pendulum Escapement, of whichthe following is a specification.

It is a well known fact to those skilled in the art that the pendulummethod is a very desirable form of escapement for clocks and the like.It is also well known that in many instances a clock embodying apendulum escapement may prove.unsatisfactory in use because of the factthat the one in charge of the clock does not have the necessarymechanical skill to so arrange the clock that the works thereof may beplumb that the pendulum in swinging may move through the appropriate arcto properly operate the escapement. In this way many clocks of superiormechanical construction are condemned as practically worthless when infact adjustment of their position is alone necessary to cause them tooperate in a perfect manner.

My invention relates to a pendulum escapement wherein means is providedby which the device is rendered self-adjusting, thereby avoiding`troubles caused by the improper placing of the clock.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved device of thecharacter described which will be easily andA cheaply made, simple inconstruction and well adapted to accomplish the purposes for which it isintended. I attain these objects, together with other objects readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, by the construction illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of aportion of the works of a clock and illustrating a device embodying myinvention in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of the plate of the clock works, provided with a boss for thepivotal connection of the adjusting plate. F ig. 3 is a perspective viewof the adjusting plate, and showing a portion of the escapement detachedfrom said plate. Fig. 4t is a horizontal section on the line l1-4t ofFig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the friction spring. Fig. e is atop view, partly in horizontal section illustrating a portion of theclock plate, the boss arranged thereon, the adjust- Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application lerl April 2?, 1909.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

serial No. 492,574..

ing plate and friction spring, and also illustrating the method ofremoval of the escapement-wheel with its appropriate shaft the viewshowing said wheel partly removed.

Throughout the several views similar numerals of reference indicatesimilar part-s.

The numeral 1 indicates one of the plates forming a portion of theframework of the clock. Upon such framework should be arranged,(although not shown) an appropriate train of gears. rilhe verticallydisposed portion 2 forms a part of the plate 1 and through the portion 2is cut an aperture 3 from which a slot il extends through the edge ofthe portion 2 for the purpose hereinafter more fully disclosed.Surrounding the aperture 3 on the front face of the portion 2 is a boss5, the periphery of which is appropriately arranged to form a bearing towhich the adjusting plate (3 may be pivotally connected. The boss 5 isprovided with a slot or opening corresponding to the slot t, asillustrated in Fig. 2.

The adjusting plate 6 is preferably of the form illustrated in Fig. 3and is provided with an aperture T at its upper end adapted to engagethe peripheral surface of the boss 5. The slot S extends from theaperture 7 through one of the sides of the plate 6, the slot 8 thuscorresponding with the slot 4 and the slot in the side of the boss 5.The boss 5 extends outwardly from the surface of the portion 2 adistance greater than the thickness of the adjusting plate G. At a pointon the peripheral. surface of the boss 5 just beyond the front surfaceof the plate G when properly arranged upon said boss, is an annulargroove 9 for the purpose hereinafter disclosed. The plate G ashereinbefore indicated, is adapted to be pivotally suspended from theboss 5, the plate (3 and the portion 2 lying closely adjacent to eachother.

A friction spring of the form illustrated in F ig. 5 is provided thespaced portions 10 of said spring being adapted to include the boss 5between them, the said portions 10 being entered into the groove 9, asillustrated in Fig. 6 for the purpose of preventing the said spring fromslipping frontwardly ott' of the said boss. The integral eX- tension 11of the spaced port-ions l() is provided with the portion 12 lying atright angles with the portion 11 and adapted to be arranged in the dent13 of the plate 1.

From an inspection of Fig, 6 it will be seen that from the free ends ofthe portion 10 to the point where lthe portion 12 joins the port-ion 11the said spring is curved or bowed, the center portion of vSaid springbeing convex and extending frontwardly. The portion 12 is of sufficientlength, with reference to the arrangement of the other parts so thatwhen the spring is in place with the portionslO arranged in the groove 9and the portion 12 in the dent 13 the free ends of the portions 10 willbear against the plate 6 in a light frictional manner, permittingpivotal movement of the plate 6 on the boss 5 but preventing anysympathetic vibrating movement of the plate 6 with the vibrating of thependulum as hereinafter more fully disclosed.

A bracket or support 14 is removably connected in a fixed manner to theplate 1 and is provided with a bearing for the spindle 15 of theescapement-wheel 16. r1`he purpose of the slot 4, the slot in the sideof the boss 5 and the slot 8 is to permit the removal of theescapement-wheel with its spindle by removing the bracket 14 and movingthe spindle 15 sidewise through the said slots, the constructionillustrated in Fig'. 6 showing the said spindle partially removed.

1t should be stated that the present invention is not only intended tobe embodied in new clocks, but also to be applied to clocks alreadymade. In many instances the distance between the plate 2 of such a clockand other parts thereof is so slight that in placing the adjusting plate6 in front of the plate 2 Ycare must be exercised in order that theparts be not crowded. For the purpose of pivotally supporting the lever17 in a neat and mechanical manner and in such way as to take up the-minimum of space, l provide the rear arm 18 and front arm 19, which arepivotally connected to the adjusting plate .6 by means of the rivet 2O.passing through apertures in said arms and said plate. rlhe arm 18 liesclosely adjacent the plate 6 and is pivotally adjustable about the rivet20, although held to the plate 6 in a sulficiently close manner tofrictionally engage the same to prevent accidental pivotal movement. Thesaid arm 18 is provided with an extending' pin 21 constituting astationary shaft. The lever 17 is provided with the spaced, downwardlyextending bearing flanges 22, provided with apertures suitably arrangedto engage the pin 21 and constitute a pivotal connection therewith. Thearm 19 at its free end is olf-set at 23 and is provided with a linger 24at the lower edge of the said free end. The said arm is adapted forpivotal adjustment on the rivet 20. ln arranging the parts the lever 17is pivotally suspended upon the pin 21 by means of the bearings in thebearing flanges -22 and the arm 19 -is .then pivotally adjusted in theposition illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, the finger 24 engaging the pin 21and `the `oE-set portion of said arm engaging' the bearing flange of the'lever 17 which lies adjacent the rear arm 18, preventing the bearingflanges from moving off of the free end of the pin 21, while providingfor' the intentional removal of the lever 17. The relative position ofthese parts is well illustrated in Fig. 4. It should be no ted that thecenter of the pivotal convnection of the lever 17 is normally insubstantially the same vertical plane which passes through the spindle15.

ilear the lower end of the plate 6 is a split post 25, in which the flatspring at the upper end of the pendulum-rod 26 is fixed. The said splitpost 25 is preferably located substantially in the same vertical planewith the pivotal connection of the lever 17 andthe spindle 15. Theverge-rod 27 operatively connects the lever 17 .vith'the pendulu-mrod2G, and the pendulum 28 is connected to the bottom of the pendulum-rod26 in any appropriate mechanical manner. The lever 17is provided withthe usual pallets 29 and '30 adapted for engagement with theescapement-wheel 16 in the usual manner, the verge-rod 27 actuating thesaid lever 17 upon its pivotal point in accordance with the vibrationsof the pendulum-rod 26. lt has been stated that the spindle 15, thepivotal connection of the lever 17 and the split post 25 should normallylie in substantially the same vertical plane. This construction ispreferable and is adapted to produce superior results, although notessential, but the drawings do not disclose an exact arrangement of thesaid parts in accordance with this principle.

A device of the character described having been provided, the mode ofoperation of the same is as follows. Then the clock is rst placed, eventhough the case of the said clock and the works are not arranged in aproper level and plumb position, yet the weight of the pendulum beingsupported by the plate 6 which is pivotally connected concentricallywith the spindle 15, will cause the plate 6 to move in a pivotal manneraround the boss 5 and around the center of the spindle 15 andescapement-wheel 16 until the split post 25 and the spindle 15 lieexactly in the same vertical plane. may then be started swinging orvibrating and will vibrate from the said split post 25 as a center, theplate 6 being maintained in a lixed position with reference to the plate1 by the friction spring. If at any time the clock be moved, so as tothrow the works again farther out of plumb, or back into theirappropriate plumb position, the plate 6 will adjust itself to the newposition of the parts in such manner as to keep the split The pendulumYpost 25 and the spindle 15 at all times in a true vertical plane, thusfully accomplishing the purpose of the invention.

I claim:

l. A self-adjusting pendulum escapement comprising a clock provided withan escapement wheel and a plate, a boss mounted on said plate and havinga peripheral surface adapted to form a bearing, an adjusting plateprovided with an aperture adapted to permit the pivotal arrangement ofsaid adjusting` plate on the bearing surface of said boss, said bossprovided with an annular groove in its peripheral surface at a pointbeyond the front surface of said adjusting plate, a friction springhaving spaced portions including said boss between them and entered intosaid groove, rear and front arms pivotally connected to the adjustingplate, the rear arm lying closely adjacent said plate and provided withan extending pin, a lever provided with downwardly extending bearingflanges having apertures adapted to be pivotally mounted on said pin,the front arm at its free end oft-set and provided with a finger, saidarm adapted for pivotal adjustment, and said finger adapted to engagethe said pin, and the olf-set portion adapted to engage one of saidbearing iianges, a pendulum rod connected to the lower end of saidadjusting plate and depending therefrom, a verge rod connecting the saidlever with said pendulum rod, a

`)endulum connected to said pendulum rod and said lever engaging saidescapement wheel.

2. In a device of the character described, an escapement-wheel, anadjusting plate adapted for pivotal adjustment about the axis of saidescapement-wheel, a pendulum and pendulum rod connected to saidadjusting plate, arms pivotally connected to said adjusting plate,` oneof said arms provided with an extending pin, the other arm provided withan olf-set portion, a lever provided with bearing ianges, said flangesprovided with apertures adapted to form a pivotal bearing on saidextended4 pin, said flanges arranged upon said pin, the arm providedwith an oiiset portion engaging one of said iianges, said lever adaptedfor engagement with .said escapement-wheel, operati ve means connectingsaid lever with said pendulum-rod and means consisting of a springfrictionallj7 engaging said adjust-ing plate for the purpose ofpreventing said plate from swinging with the vibrations of said pendulumand pendulum-rod.

ln testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my namein the presence of two witnesses.

VILLLXM B. MILLER.

Witnesses LAURA KLINE, VILLIAM H. MILLER.

